Carricowie fleece attracts strong bids

Regular buyer RK, JJ and JK Murdoch, Warooka, paid the $4200 top price for a 100 kilogram ram with a fleece of 18.6 microns, 3.4 standard deviation, 18.3 coefficient of variation and 99.6 per cent comfort factor.

Jamie Murdoch said he had been a long supporter of the Carricowie sale.

“I’ve always been really happy with these rams,” he said.

“They grow out to be big rams with consistent wool that holds its micron through the years.”

Mr Murdoch said he liked this particular ram for its fleece, which was the big appeal for him.

“It had a very distinct crimp and nice white, nourished wool, which we need in our lighter country,” he said.

“These rams are very good value.”

The Murdochs bought three rams in total at an average $2400.

Carricowie principal Bronte Blyth said the top price ram had been part of their display at Stud Merino Expo at Burra.

“It showed a lot of promise from a young age,” he said.

Mr Blyth said he was happy with the line up of sheep presented at the sale.

“A lot of people have got some good rams,” he said.

Volume buyer for the sale was Nundoora Station, Broken Hill, NSW, who picked up 27 rams in total – 18 in the main auction to $700, and nine in the mini auction to $550.

Chandler Nominees, Ceduna, bought four rams to $2000, while TD Smith & Co, Minlaton, bought four to $1600. Karoongi Pastoral, Minlaton, bought seven rams in the mini auction.

The sale was conducted by Landmark with Leo Redden acting as auctioneer.